How Much Does Zepbound Cost?

If you’ve been prescribed Zepbound for weight loss — or want to be — you may be wondering how much does Zepbound cost. This article gives you the details on what the manufacturer Elli Lilly charges pharmacies, what you’ll pay if you don’t have insurance or a coupon, how to save, and how insurance coverage may impact your price. 

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First, here’s the skinny on Zepbound if you don’t already know.

The skinny on Zepbound

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a newer weight loss medication. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2023 and started hitting U.S. pharmacy shelves in December 2023. Its active ingredient, tirzepatide, is a dual glucagon-like peptide-1/gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GLP-1/GIP) agonist medication. 

GLP-1 agonists, like Wegovy, are popular for weight loss. Combining a GIP agonist with a GLP-1 receptor agonist may work even better. The 2 together help reduce appetite and food intake while they increase feelings of fullness (satiety) at the same time.  

In clinical trials, people taking Zepbound for weight loss combined with diet and exercise lost up to 18% of their body weight over 72 weeks. For a 200-pound person, 18% weight loss equals 36 pounds. Comparatively, in a clinical trial on Wegovy, participants lost an average of 14.9% of their starting body weight in 68 weeks. That’s just under 30 pounds for a 200-pound person.

You’re a potential candidate for Zepbound if your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or more or is equal to or more than 27 and you have one or more weight-related health conditions, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. You do need to use Zepbound as part of a medical weight loss program that includes exercise and a reduced calorie diet.

So how much will Zepbound set you back if you do end up taking it? Here’s a breakdown of pricing and savings options.

Eli Lilly’s Zepbound cost to pharmacies

In a press release in November 2023, Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Zepbound, reported the list price for Zepbound (what it charges pharmacies) at $1,059.87 for a 28-day tirzepatide dose supply of 4 prefilled single-use injection pens. A 28-day supply of all doses, which includes 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 milligram single-dose pens — costs the same.

List price isn’t the price you pay. Pharmacies charge you or your insurance a retail price, which is list price plus the pharmacies’ markup. 

The retail price for Zepbound — what you may pay

The retail price is what a pharmacy charges for Zepbound. That may be the price you pay or the price the pharmacy charges your insurance if you have it. 

At the time of publication of this article, the retail price of a 28-day supply of Zepbound — regardless of dosage — is $1,125.54 according to drugs.com. 

Every pharmacy is going to have a different mark up though. So your actual retail price will vary. You may pay anywhere from $1,000 to $1,400,  give or take. 

And whether you have insurance or not, you may not pay the full retail price. 

How to save on the cost of Zepbound

To help make Zepbound more affordable, Eli Lilly offers the Zepbound Savings Card program. It’s only available to people who have insurance. But, you can save whether Zepbound is covered by insurance or not. 

If your insurance covers Zepbound (you can find out on Elli Lilly’s Zepbound website), you could pay just $25 for a 1-month or 3-month supply of Zepbound. 

If your insurance doesn’t cover Zepbound, you could still pay just $550 for a 1-month supply for up to 24 months, which is 2 years. 

To be eligible for the Zepbound Savings Card, you need to:

• Be at least 18 years old and live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
• Have commercial insurance coverage.
• Not be enrolled in a state-, federal-, or government-funded healthcare program, such as Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, DoD, VA, or TRICARE/CHAMPUS.
• Meet the eligibility requirements and accept the program’s terms and conditions.

Insurance costs for Zepbound

If you have insurance, whether or not your plan covers Zepbound depends on your plan. Check with your insurance provider to find out if it covers Zepbound under your prescription benefits. You also want to find out how much they’ll pay toward it. 

There’s no generic versions of Zepbound. Your plan may put it in a higher drug tier, which means you pay a higher out-of-pocket cost compared to preferred brand or generic drugs in a lower tier.. 

Even with insurance, you’ll likely pay a drug copay or coinsurance until you meet your deductible and/or out-of-pocket costs. The best way to find out details on what you’ll pay, is to call your insurance company’s customer service number, which can be found on the back of your ID card. Know that Medicaid, Medicare, and government insurance program coverage of weight loss drugs, like Zepbound, varies by program and state. 

According to Elli Lilly, most insurance companies also require a prior authorization before they cover Zebpound, even if it’s covered on your plan. Prior authorization requires your health care provider to submit a letter to your insurance company telling them that the medication is medically necessary. The process may take 1 to 3 weeks. And your plan may not approve the authorization, in which case you can appeal. 

Key takeaways on Zepbound costs

At an average retail cost of $1,125.54 for a 28-day supply, what Zepbound costs can put a dent in our wallet if you don’t have insurance. But, you don’t likely have to pay full price. If you have insurance that covers Zepbound, you’ll pay less. And whether or not you have insurance, you can take advantage of the Zepbound Savings Card program to cut your costs.

Always talk to your provider about any medication you’re prescribed. Know that Zepbound has side effects as does any medication. Know what they are and make sure you follow your providers’ instructions for taking any weight-loss injection or pill.  

If the cost of Zepbound proves too high, talk to your doctor about alternative prescription weight loss options. 

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The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.